Annatto Herb - Annatto seed oil Information

Scientific Name: Bixa orellana

Annatto plant has an ancient history of use by South American peoples of the Amazonia regions. Annatto is found in tropical America, the East and West Indies and is widely cultivated in Asia and Africa. Commercial supplies in the past have been known to be adulterated with ochre sand gypsum.

Uses of Annatto

• Annatto is bitter, astringent, purgative, some expectorant effect.
• It is historically used to kill intestinal worms (equal parts powdered tobacco leaves [NOT recommended - poison!] were once mixed with Annatto and taken as a tea); used externally for vermin and chiggers.
• Annatto is used to lower fever, and to improve digestion.
• Annatto is used as a liver tonic/stimulant combined with raw vegetable juices specific for maintenance of liver.
• Used for infection; said to increase resistance of young children to viruses (it is mixed with liquid drinks such as eggnog and carrot juice).
• Annatto is used for wounds and sores it is applied as a powder (1 part Annatto to 3 parts goldenseal root).
• The seed pulp is used in Mexico for mouth cancer.
• In the West Indies the leaves are used for worms in children, colic and fevers.
• In Indo-China an infusion of the Annatto leaves is used for fevers in children and after childbirthing.
• In the Philippines the ground seeds are used externally on burns to prevent blistering and scarring.
• Annatto is used for night blindness: it is added to dandelion blossoms in a blender and a little water or liquid cholorophyll added and a sweet spice included for taste.
• The dye produced from the Annatto plant is a possible antidote to prussic acid poisoning which is caused by eating manioc (Manihot esculenta) from which the toxin is not completely removed.